puzzle

1 of 2

verb

puz·​zle ˈpə-zəl How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
puzzled; puzzling ˈpə-zə-liŋ How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
ˈpəz-liŋ

transitive verb

1
: to offer or represent to (someone) a problem difficult to solve or a situation difficult to resolve : challenge mentally
also : to exert (oneself, one's mind, etc.) over such a problem or situation
they puzzled their wits to find a solution
2
archaic : complicate, entangle
3
: to solve with difficulty or ingenuity
puzzle out an answer to a riddle

intransitive verb

1
: to be uncertain as to action or choice
2
: to attempt a solution of a puzzle by guesswork or experiment
puzzle over the mystery
puzzler
ˈpə-zə-lər How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
ˈpəz-lər
noun

puzzle

2 of 2

noun

1
: the state of being puzzled : perplexity
2
a
: something that puzzles
b
: a question, problem, or contrivance designed for testing ingenuity
Choose the Right Synonym for puzzle

Verb

puzzle, perplex, bewilder, distract, nonplus, confound, dumbfound mean to baffle and disturb mentally.

puzzle implies existence of a problem difficult to solve.

the persistent fever puzzled the doctor

perplex adds a suggestion of worry and uncertainty especially about making a necessary decision.

a behavior that perplexed her friends

bewilder stresses a confusion of mind that hampers clear and decisive thinking.

a bewildering number of possibilities

distract implies agitation or uncertainty induced by conflicting preoccupations or interests.

distracted by personal problems

nonplus implies a bafflement that makes orderly planning or deciding impossible.

the remark left us utterly nonplussed

confound implies temporary mental paralysis caused by astonishment or profound abasement.

the tragic news confounded us all

dumbfound suggests intense but momentary confounding; often the idea of astonishment is so stressed that it becomes a near synonym of astound.

was at first too dumbfounded to reply

Noun

mystery, problem, enigma, riddle, puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes.

mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation.

the mystery of the stone monoliths

problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

problems created by high technology

enigma applies to utterance or behavior that is very difficult to interpret.

his suicide remains an enigma

riddle suggests an enigma or problem involving paradox or apparent contradiction.

the riddle of the reclusive pop star

puzzle applies to an enigma or problem that challenges ingenuity for its solution.

the thief's motives were a puzzle for the police

Examples of puzzle in a Sentence

Verb The cause of the accident has puzzled investigators. it is the cause of the disease that puzzles doctors Noun a book of puns, riddles, and puzzles the final fate of the colonists at Roanoke remains a puzzle to this very day
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
One such phenomenon that has puzzled academics is stomach retraction in sharks, particularly in response to capture stress and release efforts. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 And researchers have long been puzzled by a medical mystery: Some women susceptible to recurrent UTIs experience symptoms without any signs of bacteria, or after an infection has supposedly been cleared with antibiotics. Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 Joey Graziadei finally put an end to the mystery that left many fans puzzled as to why his eyes are yellow. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 Hungary had been stalling for 19 months on ratifying Sweden’s admission, a delay that had puzzled and exasperated the United States and other members of the alliance, raising questions about Hungary’s reliability as a member of the alliance. Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The 49ers won the toss for the extra period, and elected to take the ball first — a puzzling move, considering that the new overtime rules allow both teams an opportunity to possess the ball. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024 Ray Wright's disappearance puzzled investigators and left his worried family deeply shaken. Cameron Rubner, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2024 Market watchers are similarly puzzled, especially when the large gains are not accompanied by a change in the labor participation or unemployment rates. William Dunkelberg, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 For a particularly puzzling staffing situation, look no further than Cal-OSHA’s Process Safety Management Division – a branch that monitors the state’s refineries and chemical plants. Maya Miller, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024
Noun
Note: Most subscribers have some, but not all, of the puzzles that correspond to the following set of solutions for their local newspaper. USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 But Take Note The puzzle pieces are small, so keep them away from younger children or siblings. Laura Lu, Ms, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 The space features a projector that displays educational games, puzzles and brain teasers. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 Rent has never been less affordable, especially for the middle class Part of the puzzle is that inflation changes slowly. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 The puzzle pieces at QB for the Falcons are these: Desmond Ridder, the main starter last year, had a below-average season, contributing to the dismissal of head coach Arthur Smith, under whom Ryan Tannehill turned around his career with the Titans. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Soon, a colleague ends up dead and Hannah begins to put together the puzzle of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder. Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Surprise! by Richard E. Maltby Jr. See the solution to last month’s puzzle. Christopher Tayler, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 But Ainsley knows the pieces of this puzzle do not fit. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puzzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of puzzle was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near puzzle

Cite this Entry

“Puzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puzzle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

puzzle

1 of 2 verb
puz·​zle ˈpəz-əl How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
puzzled; puzzling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce puzzle (audio)
1
: to confuse the understanding of
2
: to solve with difficulty or cleverness
puzzler noun

puzzle

2 of 2 noun
1
2
a
: something that puzzles
b
: a question, problem, or device designed for testing skill or cleverness

More from Merriam-Webster on puzzle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!